Founded in 1979, the Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups, Inc. an International Professional Organization (AASWG), is the premier international association for social workers and allied helping professionals engaged in group work. The purpose of this non-profit, member-driven organization is to promote excellence in group work practice, education, field instruction, research and publication. The goals of this Association are realized through a program of action and advocacy at both the local and international levels.

Throughout the world, social work groups meet compelling human needs and serve as sources of action, healing, social justice, and learning. Group work, referred to variously as groupwork,  social group work and social work with groups, is used for diverse purposes, such as individual growth, coping with life transitions, support for behavior change, problem-solving, socialization, skill acquisition, empowerment, and social action.  In work with individual group members and the group-as-a-whole, the skillful worker considers the impact of several inter-related elements on the life of the group, including: professional values; the socio-political environment; the role of oppression and social injustice; culture; agency context;  group purpose; group dynamics; and the competencies and needs of individual members.

As an Association we appreciate that there are both essential elements to effective group work education and practice, as well as diversity of perspective and approach. The AASWG has offered guidance to social workers and other allied helping professionals working with groups through the publication, Standards for Social Work Practice with Groups, available in English and Spanish.  These Standards focus on what we believe are the central distinguishing concepts of social work with groups and illuminate the unique perspective that social group workers bring to practice.  Additionally, The Global Groupwork Project, in support by this Association, is a multi-national research and networking project that seeks to collaboratively identify global “essential” elements of group work practice. As we seek common ground we celebrate our diversity. In order to identify the wide breadth of contemporary social work practice with groups this Association has commissioned the recently published Encyclopedia of Social Work with Groups, an internationally authored edited collection with more than one hundred  entries about group work history, education, practice, theory and research.

As group workers we believe that our common ground unites us and our differences enrich us. The opportunities for collaborative learning on-line, at local Chapter events and International Symposia make this Association an invaluable resource to the global groupwork community. You are invited to learn more about group work and the resources and activities of the AASWG; become a member today!